After five games in the regular season, the Chiefs were rock bottom in the New Zealand conference and lost their star fullback, Damian McKenzie. On the other hand, the Rebels were the form team in the Australian conference.
Now, after this game, the Rebels have been knocked out of playoff contention whereas the Chiefs have, most likely, qualified for the seventh season in a row. It’s unbelievable how the fortunes for both teams have drastically changed over four months.
The conditions were considered tricky due to heavy rain the previous night. The Chiefs were the first to score via All Blacks flanker Sam Cane, who scored on the back of an impressive line break from young No.10 Jack Debrecenzi in the 13th minute. The try was also converted by the young fly-half.
The Rebels hit back four minutes later through a Reece Hodge penalty. From that moment onwards the Chiefs dominated the game, scoring 52 points to the Rebels’ five.
Shaun Stevenson scored the first of his three tries in the 22nd minute after smothering an attempted kick by Quade Cooper, pouncing on the loose ball to score. Debrecenzi converted the try.
Lachlan Boshier scored the next try after the half-time hooter, via another loose ball from the Rebels which Stevenson picked up and passed it to Boshier. Debrecenzi converted the try to make the score 21-3 at half-time.
Three minutes after the break, winger Sean Wainui scored spotting the gap on the left and Debrecenzi missed the conversion. The score, 26-3.
From the 49th minute to the 60th, the Chiefs scored three converted tries. All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown, crossed the try line in the 49th minute, while Stevenson and Debrecenzi crossed in the 52nd and 57th minutes, respectively.
By the time Matt Phillips scored the Rebels’ only try in the 67th minute, they’d already been embarrassed – their season was done and dusted.
Another loose ball led to another try for the Chiefs in the 72nd minute for Marty McKenzie, who converted his own try. Stevenson completed his hat-trick in the 76th minute via a skillful finish just inside the corner flag. The game ended with a penalty for the Chiefs after an infringement by Campbell Magnay. The final score; 59-8 in favour of the men from Hamilton.
The Rebels were their own worst enemy last night, surrendering 20 turnovers and missing 30 tackles – twice the number of missed tackles the Chiefs made. The Rebels conceded 125 points in the last two games of their season and only scored eight points. They also conceded more than 50 points in two consecutive weeks.
A very disappointing end to a season that promised so much, especially after leading the Australian Conference and being in the top five in the early stages of the season.
The boys from Hamilton were brilliant and are a clear threat for the playoffs. They are one of only two teams to have beaten the top of the ladder Crusaders this season.
The star players for the Chiefs were fullback Stevenson who made 12 runs for 151 metres, four clean breaks and defenders beaten, three tries and two tackles for the game. Lienert-Brown also ran over 100 metres from the 16 runs he made, with three clean breaks, beating seven defenders and two offloads.
Brad Weber had another brilliant game and keeps pushing his case for an All Blacks recall after nearly four years. Weber made 64 passes, eight runs for 58 metres, one clean break and offload as well as defeating four defenders.
Sam Cane made 16 tackles for the game. The Chiefs have completed an amazing turnaround and, if they qualify for the playoffs, they have solid form and could be a serious threat to the other contenders.
Neel
Roar Guru
Yeah I know. The constant loose balls that the Chiefs took advantage of were astonishing to notice. Most of the loose ball was provided by Quade Copper who really had a shocker of a game.
Neel
Roar Guru
True. The order of the All Blacks 10s in my opinion would be Barrett, Mo’unga & Ioane.
Neel
Roar Guru
Hahahahaha. That’s funny.
Neel
Roar Guru
That’s a really good comment Waxhead. The attitude difference in New Zealand rugby and Australian Rugby at this stage tells a story.
Neel
Roar Guru
No problem mate. That’s understandable. Good effort though.
Neel
Roar Guru
Geez, well done for figuring out. I tried to figure it out but I did it to no avail.
piru
Roar Rookie
The Melbourne public are probably the most knowledgeable sports fans in the world Really, ask the average Melbournian the difference between league and union, or who's leading the MotoGP.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
At one point Fox wit Marto condescendingly announced that Quade was #2 in the tackle count for the Rebels and had missed another five. That doesn't sound like Quade was disinterested or that the rest of the team was pulling their weight (Naisarani and Cotterell excepted). Whenever the ball spilled loose, there seemed to be no one in the Rebels who could match the speed of the Chiefs back three or could anticipate the need to cover-defend. Naisarani should be a certain starter for the Wallabies.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Something changed at the Chiefs when they went on tour after a horrid start. Even the Blues were beating them. They smashed the Bulls then from memory beat the Jaguares. Cane and Retallick were still a way off. With the loss of their Ace in DMac didnt think theyd end up having the season they have. A real example of internal fortitude and team spirit.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
I watched both this game and the Landers v Tahs closely. My impressions were that the Tahs were outclassed although a couple tried hard, and a couple proved they were either not up to class or were not interested. Mack tried hard, did ok, but was behind a pack going backwards. The Tahs front row was outclassed. Maybe Robertson needs more scrum time at THP. Staniforth did ok while he was on and Hanigan never stopped. Miller had a shocker. Newsome tried hard at FB and Clarke also never stopped trying. At least the Tahs scored two real good team tries. The Rebels all had an absolute shocker. Most of them looked totally uninterested, just going thru the motions. Did someone tell them their salary cheques had been dishonoured? Cooper pretty much was an uninterested passenger, apart from gifting tries to the Chiefs. About the only player that I can say some good about was Naisarani, he at least ran hard but he had no support. DHP was rarely in position at fullback. Hodge is not a 13, maybe fullback or wing, but nowhere else. Will the Rebels even be around next year? Will their owner turn in the license voluntarily when RA declines to kick in more dollars they don't have? For sure the Rebels will not be able to offer QC $600K for another year. Rumours abound that Genia is on the move. If the Rebels disappear will Twiggy step in with the Western Force in a franchise transfer? Gee the off season promises to be more exciting than all the Rebels home games rolled into one. The politics, financial games, possible twists and turns, plus player movements are going to be interesting to watch. And all this with the current SANZAR agreement with one year to run. Who cares about Israel's antics?
terrykidd
Roar Pro
and we should also remember that Deans was dealing with a number of players injured, the 3 amigos beginning to kick off, player power via Gregan and others, plus a distinct lack of consistent support from RA. Yet despite all that Robbie Deans did a bloody good job in my opinion.
moaman
Roar Guru
Jacko, My point was more about the pickle RA have gotten themselves into; Agitated for years to get extra teams into Super rugby… Did a turnabout on the Force and gave them the boot when they were arguably gaining a decent foothold in WA…. Backed themselves into a corner by putting their money on the Rebels. I am not commenting on the rights or wrongs just the situation really. Surely they have to go ‘all in’ on The Rebs now? ps. Maybe going cap in hand back to Perth and forming some kind of amalgamation as you say might be a solution.
PiratesRugby
Guest
The crowd was made up mostly of Chiefs fans. Rebels fans are absolutely disgusted with the team and the organisation is making no attempt to engage with them. The board, the coaches and the leadership group should be all over media (including social media) accepting responsibility and acknowledging what the fans are feeling. I’ve been a member since the club’s inception. I often get messages and alerts for club and sponsors’ news. They know how to contact us when they want flog something. Now it’s just platitudes in statements about how ‘it was not our night’. Not good enough. If the Rebels exist next year then their membership could meet in a phone before home games. This is a disaster for rugby in Victoria.
Jacko
Guest
Moaman the y have had so much money thrown at them in the past that at what point do you say enough is enough and pack up the last bag and turn out the lights....If they want a melbourne team then Have the Melbourne Force and play 50/50 in perth.
Fox
Roar Guru
I agree with you on Foley TWAS but for me the Wallabies biggest problem in the WC is no 10 in the class of Sexton, Farrell, Barrett, Moúnga, Ashcombe ( who has been outstanding for Wales) or Pollard who is great form. They have no 10 that can run and control a game like any of the above and that for me is Cheika's biggest hurdle even if he doesn't know it yet. Maybe someone else should be given a go from the Brumbies?
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
I’d have Banks over Beale every day of the week. I guess that means Cheika will pick Beale lol
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
Congratulations, Wise old Elf, There are no truly ''contested scrums''. Referee should blow time off when he calls for a scrum, time on when the ball emerges. More ball in play, more spectators, more viewers for the professional game = more money.
Wise Old Elf
Guest
Have you actually watched rugby? They spend an eternity setting up the scrum, then for only the player feeding the ball in practically straight under his teammates feet. If you are seriously going to contest it, then make sure the player actually puts it in straight down the middle not straight under his mates rear foot. They should just have the scrum a quick as possible and play on, collapse or not. Noone is interested in that nonsense or the stands would be packed across the planet.
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
TWAS, I think you are the culprit pertaining to abject displays by the M.Rebels. When you came out on the Roar declaring your allegiance to the MRs and scrapping Q. Reds, they have gone backwards. You must be the jinx.
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
If they have any left after the Folau fiasco.